Please note due to DSD’s fund raising event – Twilight Team Challenge, which will be held at Sandyford Business District on Thursday 28th September, there will be no training in BCS that evening. The fund raiser is for the development of a track and other much needed training facilities on the grounds of St. Thomas. You can help by encouraging friends to take part or volunteering to help out on the night - please email us at info@twilightteamchalenge.comif you can help as a volunteer.

Congrats to all those who turned out for the first of the Dublin Cross Country League, which was held in Ardgillan Park. The results of League 1 are now available – see link. DSD athletes highlighted in yellow for ease of identification, if I’ve missed anyone please advise (damiendsdac@gmail.com).

As you will see the results were good for those that did turn out for League 1, however, the numbers of DSD athletes that did turn out was disappointing. We encourage all our Juvenile athletes to take part in the Cross-Country Leagues, they are a good opportunity to prepare for the Dublin Championships. League 2 will be held in the Phoenix Park this Sunday, 1st October, 2017 at 11am.

No need to register before, just turn up on the day register and get your number at the DSD tent.

Please be there an hour before to allow registration and warm up.

Club singlets must be worn.

Be prepared for all types of weather.

Bring food and drink as delays can happen.

Parents please note, each club is required to provide help at these events. The coaches are not in a position to officiate as the athletes need to be coached. For this reason we look to you to help officiate, if asked please be kind enough to make yourself available. We will try to ensure you’re not stuck with a job for the day, by getting other parents to take over. Your co-operation will be much appreciated.

Maps of the course will be posted later in the week, once we receive them from the Dublin Athletics Board. Schedule of Events.

Dublin Juvenile Cross-Country League 2 takes place on Sunday next 1st October, in Phoenix Park starting with the U.9 girls at 11 am. All D.S.D., girls and boys are urged to turn out for their teams. Allow an hour for warm up etc., so you’re all set to take your place on starting line, in time for your race.

Hiko Tonosa, running his first race for D.S.D., was a comprehensive winner of the Star of the Sea Senior Men’s Cross-County race in Stamullen, Co. Meath on Sunday. This was a very well organised meeting, held on a bight sunny day, with races for all age groups from 9 to 18 years, plus Senior Men & Women’s. Hiko was in front after a lap and a half of the four lap race (6,000m), and there were comparisons to Haile Gebrselassie, from the sidelines, as his stride pattern looked similar to the great man. He enjoyed his introduction to Irish cross-country and is looking forward to the Autumn Classic and the national senior cross country. Wishu Gebrselasie also ran well after a long bout of illness.

A return to the Road Race scene, on Saturday in Donabate, produced a good win for Maria McCambridge, in the SSE Airtricity Half Marathon, in a time of 82.26. This was a preparation race, for Maria, for the Dublin City Marathon, of which she is a former winner.

There's just over a week to go, so hope you're looking forward to joining us at this year's Twilight Team Challenge.

This is the biggest fund-raiser of the year run by DSD volunteers. We want to raise funds for the new track and athletics facilities in Saint Thomas and we really need your help.

You can help by encouraging friends to take part or volunteering to help out on the night - please email us at info@twilightteamchalenge.com if you can help as a volunteer.

The Challenge takes place on Thursday, September 28th and starts on Three Rock Road in Sandyford at 7.30pm. If you cant make up a team, don't worry. Individuals are welcome to join our teams to walk, run or jog.

Its always a great night and this year we'll have delicious food for all finishers at Race HQ - at the Spirit Skoda showrooms on Blackthorn Drive. That's in addition to a great goody bag, finishers medal and cool new technical tee shirt.

We have trophies and prizes worth thousands of euros for top male, female and mixed team and top individual male and female finishers. And if you enter your team by next Monday, you'll be entered in a free draw for a team of gorgeous Kodi bears, mascots for the new Skoda Kodiaq.

So don't delay, register your entry today at www.twilightteamchallenge.com. You'll also find lots more information on the site including where to collect your race number, free parking and lots more.

Thanks to our sponsors Spirit Motors, Bank of Ireland, Total Physio and the Beacon Hotel Group. The Challenge is being organised to raise funds for a new track and sports facility being built by Dundrum South Dublin AC and also the Ross Nugent Foundation which supports cancer patients.

D.S.D’s Laura Shaughnessy continued her unbeaten run on the road race circuit with a comprehensive victory at the Charleville International Half Marathon. Laura’s time of 73.59 is second only to Fionnuala McCormack, on the home scene, and was an amazing 6 minutes ahead of the next female finisher Aoife Cook, Youghal A.C (79.18).

Dublin Juvenile Cross-Country League 1 takes place this Sunday 17th September at Ardgillen Park, Skerries at 11 am. D.S.D. athletes should report to Brian O’Donohoe or David Bradshaw at 10.15 for warm-up. Best of luck to all!

Laura Shaughnessy continued her prolific winning form on the Road Race scene, with another victory in the Lakes 10k in Blessington on Saturday. This was a top class performance, as Laura finished 4th overall in a mixed field of men and women, in a time of 34.34.76. Laura was followed home by D.S.D. clubmate Sarah Mulligan (36.51), in the Women's Section of the race.

Next in line for Laura could be the Twilight 5k Challenge on the 28th September, which will be organised by D.S.D., in the Sandyford Industrial Estate, and for which entries are now open.

On your marks…………., yes, it’s that time of the year! Welcome back from our summer break. While some groups are back training in the last week or so. Training re-starts this week for all juveniles as follows:

Tuesday, 5th September BCS Hall (6pm). Open to U13 (2005 – age 12) and up, for David Bradshaw, Donal/Eddie, TeamDSD and Liz’s groups.

Wednesday, 6th September Irishtown Stadium (7pm). Open to U11 (2007 – age 10) and up.

Thursday, 7th September BCS Hall (6pm). Open to the current Little Athletics group (2009/2010) and up.

Saturday, 9th September Irishtown Stadium (12pm). Open to the current Little Athletics group (2009/2010) and up.

Re-registration:

Our online re-registration form is open to all current members, please proceed to Registrations and complete as apparent. If you were registered with the club during 2016/17 your place is guaranteed for the month of September while you complete your re-registration.

New Members:

For those looking to join the club and are on our waiting list. Please note places will be offered during the month of September, but all offers will be issued by early October. Those unsuccessful in securing a place will be advised by mid-October and will remain on the waiting list.

An understrength D.S.D. Women’s team lost their National Clubs Track and Field title in Tullamore on Sunday, as they attempted an unprecedented 8th in a row. Not withstanding this defeat by St. Abban’s of Laois, D.S.D still managed four fine victories from Anita White Javelin; Sinead Denny 200m; Mollie O’Reilly 400m and the 4 x 400m relay team of Sarah Gaughran; Katie Magee; Jade Leahy and Sinead Denny. Star of the show was Sinead Denny, who raced to an easy victory in the 200m and then had to pull out all the stops on the last leg of the 4 x 400m relay, as she took the baton with a big deficit to make up. Second places were achieved by Katie Berney 100m; Kate Doherty 100m hurdles; Fiona Clinton 3,000m; Grainne Moggan High Jump; Anita White Shot; and the 4x100 relay team of Katie Magee; Mollie O’Reilly; Rachel Dunne and Katie Berney. Meghan Ryan ran well to finish 3rd in the 1500m, and Molly Hourihan moving up to the 400m hurdles, was also 3rd, showing that this will be a great event for her in the future. Also putting in a great effort; Rose Alice; Ailbhe and Avril.

In the Men’s League Final, D.S.D belied their 7th ranking with a 5th place finish (just pipped for 4th by a point). Robert Corbally followed up his 2nd place in the National 5,000m with an impressive runner-up spot in the 3,000m S/Chase. Captain Joe Halwax played his part with a 2nd place 400m hurdles and 4th place 110m hurdles. Sixteen year old Ciaran Carthy had an astounding 2nd place finish in the 400m and a great leg in the 4x400m. The ever reliable John Eves returned from England to gather 7 points for the team with a gallant attempt to lead all the way in the 5,000m, and was just pipped for gold by Freddy Sittuk of Raheny. Great credit must go also to our field event athletes with Kevin Byrne setting a national M.45 record in the Pole Vault of 3.40; great team man Brian McDermott 3rd Javelin and 5th Discus; Andy Thompson 5th Shot & Hammer and David Dagg 5th Long Jump and Triple Jump. Also performing very well on the track were: Patrick MacGabhann 4th 1500m; Mark Conway 4th 800m; and Conor Deane 5th 3,000m Walk. Good contribution also from James Holden, Ciaran Haverty, Seamus Fenton an Paul O'Callaghan.

Congratulations to Sarah Mulligan on her third place finish in the National Half Marathon last weekend. Well done also to Amy Moran and Eileen Gillick, who together with Sarah, brought home the silver team medals to Dundrum South Dublin A.C.

Our new Athletics Year is starting in September. We have now opened the Juvenile waiting list for new entrants from the age of 7 (born 2010) upwards. Please print and complete the waiting list form (Link). Once completed email a copy (preferably in PDF format) to damiendsdac@gmail.com. New places will be offered during September, once we’ve reviewed the numbers for the various age groups.

Places will be offered on a first come, first serve basis, however, where there is high demand for limited places, the club will review applications on a Priority Membership basis. In this instance priority will be given to applicants where a parent volunteers as a Coach/Helper and/or club administrative duties. Places are also subject athlete:coach ratio and the capacity of the training location. Depending on the age group BCS can fill up quickly due to the limited space of the venue, however, Irishtown Stadium can take a higher capacity, but is subject to athlete:coach ratio. While we will endeavour to offer places at your preferred training venue, this may not be possible, but we will offer a place at an alternative venue for you to consider.

The following are our training locations, days/time/age group and type of training for each session:

Marlay Park, College Road Entrance. Meet at the change rooms next to the Tennis Courts

Saturday at 11am to 12pm – Age Groups from U13 (age 12) upwards.

Type of Training: Running (Endurance, Middle/Long Distance Running)

We as a club pride ourselves in our professional approach to all aspects of the day to day running of an Athletic Club, and this is all done on a voluntary basis. We continually seek new volunteers to come on board to lighten the work load, whether that’s in the club administrative area, officiating at competition events or Coaching. Without the help of these volunteers we would not have a club in which we take immense pride. We therefore ask you to consider volunteering, one area which we need volunteers is coaching or helping our coaches. Without new coaches, it is difficult to take on new members. No experience is necessary as you will initially be shadowing a more experienced coach and will be given training by our coaches and through Athletics Ireland Coaching courses (all course fees are covered by the club). All we ask is for a minimum commitment of one training session per week (that’s only one hour in a week, while your child is training) and completion of an Athletics Leader/Assistant Coaching course. If you are interested in volunteering, please put a note in the ‘Additional Information’ of the waiting list form.

Ciarán Carthy running first for Ireland in the 4x400m relay passed over the baton in first place and this lead was maintained all the way to the finish for an Irish win. Scotland finished second and the Irish Developmental Team were third with Ben Jones running a great second leg.

James Maguire finished off his track season with a third placing in the 1500m, 4.01.97.

Well done to all D.S.D., athletes, who travelled to Mary Peters Track, Belfast yesterday, for the second round of the National League.

Our Women's team are well on their way to an 8th consecutive League title, as they completed the 2nd Round yesterday in first place with great individual performances from Sinead Denny 400m; Mollie O'Reilly 200m; Kate Doherty 100m hurdles; Niamh Gowing 400m hurdles and there were wins also in the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays. Along with these wins there were many other fine results, adding to our over-all score.

Our under strength Men's Team performed very well, with great contributions from Mark Conway 2nd 3,000m S/C; John Eves 2nd 5,000m; Patrick MacGabhann 2nd 1500m and James Holden 2nd 200m. David Dagg took on the 110m hurdles for the first time and finished 3rd and Ciaran Carthy did likewise in the 400m hurdles, where he also had the extra height and finished 4th. Birthday Boy, Aengus Meldon took on the 400m/800m double and finished 3rd and 5th to add to our points. Our very young 4 x 400 relay team finished a great 2nd, and Mark Kavanagh led off our 4x100 relay team to a 3rd place finish. Good points also came from our field event athletes, with full results to follow shortly.

Well done to Jerome Caprice, who finished 3rd in a 30k walk in the Ivory Coast, representing his native Mauritius. This is a final preparation race before the Commonwealth Games.

Congratulations also to our Master Athletes, who were in action in the European Masters in Aarhus; Shane Sheridan 3rd 100m 12.53 M.55; Cathryn Brady 4th 1500m W.50 (knocking a whopping 12 seconds off her P.B. with a great time of 5.14.87); Kevin Byrne 7th Decathlon M45; and Peadar McGing Jnt.4th High Jump M60.